USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the history of the United States, carpetbagger is a largely historical term used by Southerners to describe opportunistic Northerners who came to the Southern states after the American Civil War, who were perceived to be exploiting the local populace for their own financial, political, and/or social gain.

Detailed explanation-2: -The term carpetbagger was used by opponents of Reconstruction-the period from 1865 to 1877 when the Southern states that seceded were reorganized as part of the Union-to describe Northerners who moved to the South after the war, supposedly in an effort to get rich or acquire political power.

Detailed explanation-3: -These “carpetbaggers”–whom many in the South viewed as opportunists looking to exploit and profit from the region’s misfortunes–supported the Republican Party, and would play a central role in shaping new southern governments during Reconstruction.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the context of U.S. history, carpetbagger was a term used to describe Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War, during Reconstruction (1865-1877).

Detailed explanation-5: -Carpetbaggers were businessmen and politicians that went to the South during Reconstruction. More times than not, they plundered and looted money. Scalawags were white southern people that supported Reconstruction and aligned themselves with the Republican Party.